A few minutes later, two girls in thin nightgowns were kneeling side by side on the bed, chatting warmly.
Though the contrast between "mountain peaks" and "serene plains" was even more obvious thanks to the sleepwear, neither seemed to mind.
For the most part, one girl spoke with rising emotion, while the other listened quietly with soft, indulgent patience.
"Huh? They treated you like that and you didn't just conjure a [Fireball] and shove it up their noses?!"
"Because I'm just an ordinary country girl. I don't have Your Highness's kind of power," Elena said quietly, her eyes lowered.
"Tch. That kind of thing…"
Hysteria looked away, removing her little nightcap as a single red ahoge stubbornly bounced from her forehead, swaying left and right with her unsettled emotions.
"…Next time someone picks on you, just call me."
She turned her gaze back forward, feigning indifference as she said it.
Looking at the prickly girl — awkwardly trying to apologize without losing face — Elena, now above her on the bed, couldn't help but smile like an understanding big sister.
Since arriving at Eden Academy, very few people had ever stood up for her — let alone tried to help her. Including the red-eyed girl in front of her, there were only two.
Her ability hadn't been wrong. The voice she heard in Hysteria's heart was far softer than her sharp words suggested. She wasn't truly angry or arrogant — just someone who didn't know how to connect with people, and used her barbs like armor.
And once you got through that… she was actually kind of cute.
Different reasons, Elena thought, but in terms of tsundere personalities, she's not all that different from His Highness Linen.
Although the two of them could barely stand to be in the same room right now.
Just thinking of Linen made Elena's eyes light up.
After everything he'd done for her — after helping her twice and being misunderstood — she'd been feeling guilty. She'd wanted to do something to make it up to him.
And now that chance was right in front of her.
Hysteria was her roommate. Soon, the three of them would be classmates. If she could help smooth things over between them, that would be a meaningful way to repay him.
Maybe they could even become friends — all three of them.
She could already picture it: the three of them studying, laughing, teasing each other…
Gathering her thoughts, Elena gently said to the still-awkward Hysteria, "You don't need to blame yourself, Your Highness. Those little pranks didn't really hurt me."
"And besides, it wasn't just you. Someone else helped me, too."
"Who?" Hysteria asked.
"It was… Linen—Linen Norton."
"Him?!"
Predictably, the moment the name left Elena's mouth, Hysteria flared up like a cat with its tail stepped on.
"Ha! That annoying guy? I bet he's just drooling over your pretty face, trying to worm his way into your life!"
"That's not it at all, Your Highness," Elena said seriously.
"You've just arrived at the Academy, so you might not know — Linen is actually extremely popular. If he wanted to, he could be surrounded by girls more talented and charming than me."
"Besides, he's kind to others, not just me. Just today, he even…"
Elena trailed off.
That might not be the best example.
Linen had stood up for those two girls against Hysteria… which probably wasn't the best way to frame him right now.
But Hysteria didn't seem offended. She just snorted.
"Even if he hadn't meddled, I was only trying to scare them. It was their fault for knocking over my things."
Seeing that she wasn't upset, Elena let out a quiet breath.
Just as she thought her attempt at peace had failed, Hysteria unexpectedly asked:
"But Elena… are you really sure that guy helped you just out of some noble sense of justice? Not because he's trying to get something out of you?"
Elena hesitated.
If we were talking about goals…
Well, Linen had said he wanted to be her friend.
But… did that even count as a goal?
If anything, it was more likely he joked around just to tease her.
With that thought, Elena smiled and answered firmly.
"No. Please believe me, Your Highness — Linen doesn't have any hidden agenda. I truly hope the two of you can get along."
Hysteria fell silent.
It had only been a short while, but she could already tell Elena wasn't the type to speak carelessly or judge others too quickly.
If she's saying that…
Damn it. Is that guy actually… righteous?
No — no way. I'll believe it when I see it myself.
Still, the image flashed in her mind: Linen standing firm in front of those two girls, eyes sharp, voice righteous.
Her opinion of him edged upward.
But her tone remained as cold as ever.
"Fine. I'll do it for your sake, Elena."
She gave a nonchalant huff.
"If he doesn't try to provoke me next time, I'll be civil."
Yes!
Elena's heart soared.
I finally got to help His Highness!
He's going to be so grateful!
---
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed gently into the room as Linen's eyes blinked open. He kicked up into a sitting position in a single motion.
Today was the first official day of class.
He had to be in top form.
As a prince — and a scheming villain — his dorm room was naturally a private suite, far larger and more luxurious than his peers'.
After a quick wash, he stepped to the window and drew the curtains open. Morning light spilled across Eden Academy's stately campus, and Linen's lips curled into a smile.
To be honest, he'd woken up anxious every morning until now.
After all, his future — if he stayed on-script — was to be stripped of everything, then killed by the protagonist.
But not anymore.
Now, with mana humming through his body, and the memory of two female leads scowling hatefully at him before storming off...
He took a deep breath.
The chance to change his fate… was already in his hands.
And this — this was just the beginning.
From now on, he would rewrite everything.
"Ahh… I can already smell rejection in the air."
"What a beautiful way to start the day."